03 Apr Tuition Increase for CSU Students

California State University just approved the first tuition increase in six years for its 23 campuses, drawing opposition from students who say they’re already struggling. The board of trustees voted 11-8, approving a proposal to increase undergraduate tuition by $270 for the 2017-18 school year. Current tuition is $5,472 a year.

Chancellor Timothy White urged the trustees to approve the increase, saying the nation’s largest public university system needs to hire more faculty and add more classes to accommodate growing enrollment.

The increase will generate $77.5 million in net revenue and go toward hiring 400 new faculty, adding 3,000 course sections and expanding academic and student support services.

Students spoke out against the increase, explaining that $270 is a significant increase for students working to support themselves and pay additional costs for housing, food, and books.